WASHINGTON, May  13, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - US Democrats called Friday for a

giant mobilization for abortion rights on the eve of a nationwide day of
protest against an expected Supreme Court move to end federal protections for
the procedure.

Multiple US organizations plan to rally Saturday, after a leaked draft
ruling showed the court's conservative majority poised to overturn its landmark
1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a right to abortion.

"I hope to see each and every one of our colleagues and the public at one
of these rallies because I know we're going to turn out en masse," said Barbara
Lee, a House Democrat who has in the past spoken publicly about her own
back-alley abortion.

"We're not going to be denied the right to make decisions about our own
bodies will not stop fighting until everyone -- and I mean everyone -- has
access to safe, legal and accessible abortions no matter their income, their
zip code or their race."

A Democratic drive to make the right to abortion the law of the land failed
in the Senate on Wednesday after Republicans refused to allow a vote on the
issue.

The House-passed Women's Health Protection Act would have created a federal
statute ensuring access to terminations for patients nationwide -- but all 50
Republicans and one of the 50 Democrats voted not to consider the legislation.

"Once Republicans shred long standing precedent and privacy rights, they
intend to wage an all-out assault on more of our rights, including access to
contraception and marriage equality," Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the
House of Representatives, told reporters.

"As Republicans seek to control and criminalize women's reproductive health
freedoms, Democrats are fighting to enshrine Roe v. Wade into law."

Campaigners are planning a "massive day of action" with four "anchor
marches" in New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles Saturday, as well as
hundreds of smaller events across the country.

The groups are also urging more mobilization throughout the summer, when
the final Supreme Court decision is set to be issued.